The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-01-20

soon struck the Comancho trail, and, in
advance of the dragons, pursued it
until nightfall, when he found the
savagcs cncampcd. Returning to Col.
Sumner after long and weary night ride
he urged him to make a forced march
and surprise the Comanches. 1t was
the only way, Carson argued, to rescue
the prisoners alive, for it is a well
known fact among old Indian fighters
that when the cruel redskins, when not
taken by suaprise, will rctaliate on the
attacking party by killing the prisoners
sought to be rescued, I'd order to save
their scalps, as every euemy's scalp
whether of man, woman or child, counts
one Ca as it is called. OF this fact"
added Mr.. Boggs, 81 am myself aware.
l learned it while living with the Chcy-
ennes and Arapahoes ir 1874. The
Sioux and Comanches, as we'll as the
sneaking Pawnees and Kiowas, all
do likewise. Their habits are SINH
lar, roaming as they do over
the same region of country on the great
plains of Colorado and Northwestern
Texas, up to the Yellowstone and the
Missouri River on the north. But to re-
turn to Carson and the Comanches. Be-
fore setting out in pursuit he visited (as
he told me himselO the scene of the
White massacre, which had been dis
covered by Mexican. From the way
in which the goods and other material
lay scattered around he knew it was the
work OF Comanches, and this fact aided
him in trailing. When he returned to
Col. Sumner and the dragons, and
urged him, as l said before, to make a
forced march SO as to reach the Indian
village before daylight, tho Colonel ask
ed him:
"'How many Indians are there in
campo
"'Frcm 800 to 400, replied Carsoa;
all fighting men, with their families
"'Too many for me to HANDLE said
the Colonel. 4 have only sixty fighting
regulars and about twenty five volun-
tcers gathered in from surrounding
ranches. Icannot risk their lives against
so large party
"Carson grew impatient. 'rhcre is
not a moment to be lost, Colonel, if you
would surprise the Indians and rescue
the women
"I positively refuse to give the order
to advance Sumner said, with cool de-
termination.
"Thcn Carson's hind heart and daring
courage asserted themselves. He turned
from the cavalry Colonel with slight
gesture of contempt, and raising himself
in his stirrups, while tho fire of heroism>
flashed from his eyes, called out in a
loud clear voice:
Volunteers! I want volunteersl !
Who will ride with me to save white
women and children from torture and
deathp
''Carson knew few of the Rocky
Mountain boys in the party, who, of
course, were at his side in moment, and
a number of the soldiers also offered to
90. Here Col. Sumner interposed.
"Carson, said he, 4 will hold you re-
sponsible for the lives of my men,
"Allright Colonel, replied the gal
liant Kit, waving his hand, as at the
head ofa party Of thirty he dashed off into
the darkness on his mission Of venge-
ance and possibly of rescue.
The action of Col. Sumner was that OF
a trained and careful soldier, brave
under all circumstances; but tho art of
war had taught him the folly of use!csly
exposing the lives of men for whom he
was responsible, as he would have done
had he pitted 50 soldiers against 400
of warlike, desperate, and determined
tribe of Indians, such as the ComaLches
were known to be. Carson, of course,
was irresponsible, and his action was
characteristic, taking all chances, and
trusting to his Indian knowledge to beat
the savages at their own game. We call
his ride reckless, bit at the samc time
admire the courage that prompted it.
"They rode all mkt day and night,
reaching the Indian village little after
daylight, but unfortunately were dis
covered by the Ccmanches, SO that the
Indians had time 10 m IKE break, and
several of them got into the ravines and
brush. Carson's p;rty went to work
with a will, killing Unfortunately
bucks, squaws, and papooscs. One OF
the avengers, Doc Reed, singled out the
Indian who was dragging off the cap
tive Mrs. White by the hair of the head,
in direction different from that the
other redskins were taking, thinking,
doubtless, he might be able to escape
unseen with his victim. The hapless
woman's body was terribly bruised as
well as blistercd by sunburns. Com.
plctely at tie mercy of the brawney saw
age, she, on hearing the yell of the
white men, as they dashed in to the at
tack, fell down aud was being dragged
off in the manner described. When
Reed discovered the situation, he
wheeled his horse and spurred him to,
ward the Indian, who shot an arrow in.
to the fleshy part of the riders back a.
his horse, being somewhat un
manageable, passed him. Bu
refining him up finally, and
Just as the Comanche was about to lei
sip another arr, W It him, Red drew q
steady bead on hi with large Colt,
revolver, and, utt ring a piercing death.
| veil. the savage fell on the ground with